alt. mondays 010

Today’s Eid-al-Fitr holidays in most parts of the world brings an end to a historical month of Ramadan. Social-distancing disrupted a lot of customary points of familial relations and community during the holy month. Luckily, today is also Africa Day, an opportunity to not necessarily replace the warmth of Ramadan (or the fire looks from eid fashion) but to perhaps appreciate the untouchable ties, that gags and binds. The stories, history and richness of African origin, similarities beyond religion, identity, borders and nationally; the unending fight for Africa’s socio-economic liberty. As per usual, we made this week’s alt. Mondays, with all these thoughts in mind. This 010 issue opens with a slice of heaven, with spiritual cuts from some of West Africa’s most angelic voices, including Amadou and Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Fatoumata Diawara, Rokia Traore and more.

It’s a huge leap back into the mainstream from track seven on alt. mondays 010 if you’re looking for all the good stuff that just came out. From Tems, Gunna, Rema, Adey and Omah Lay, alt. mondays 010 features a highlight reel of the latest music releases across all genres around the world. Including our Africa Day entrees, everything else from our homegrown R&B and hip-hop to Latin pop cuts and the Francophone Afropop cut is touched by the relatable feeling of existential anguish, of holidaying amidst a pandemic. The theme for today’s playlist is “20/20”, a nod to Nigerian rapper Neato C’s upgrade anthem, 10/10, as we double our usual alt. mondays 20-track dose with 40 essential tracks for muslims and Africans around the world celebrating under lockdowns. In what has been such a strange year, perhaps more prayers need to go towards reaching new comfort levels with the realities of our time. Stream alt. mondays 010 below.

You can also stream here on Apple Music